ST Bus Battery Explosion Sparks Panic at Sangameshwar Railway Station

A shocking midnight battery explosion inside a Maharashtra State Transport (ST) bus created panic at Sangameshwar Railway Station in Ratnagiri, sending frightened passengers scrambling for safety. Although no casualties were reported, the incident has sparked serious concerns over the maintenance and safety standards of state-run buses.

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According to reports, the Devrukh–Sangameshwar Railway Station ST bus (MH 14 LX 7142) was parked at the station to pick up passengers arriving by the Diva–Ratnagiri Passenger train. Despite appearing brand new from the outside, the bus suddenly became the centre of a frightening incident.

At around 1:10 AM, a loud explosion erupted from the bus’s battery compartment, producing a blast so powerful that many people initially believed it was a bomb explosion. The deafening sound echoed across the railway station, creating chaos and fear among passengers waiting nearby.

Moments after the blast, thick smoke, water, and acidic liquid began pouring out of the battery compartment. Preliminary information suggests the explosion may have been caused by a technical fault or an electrical short circuit inside the battery system.

Fortunately, there were no passengers inside the bus when the explosion occurred, preventing what could have turned into a major tragedy.

When the Diva–Ratnagiri Passenger train arrived, travellers rushed towards the waiting ST bus. However, due to the technical failure, the conductor stopped passengers from boarding the vehicle. Commuters were forced to wait for nearly one hour in the middle of the night until a replacement bus arrived, causing significant inconvenience to women, children, and senior citizens.

The incident has once again raised serious questions over the maintenance practices of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC). Angry passengers questioned whether buses that appear modern and well-maintained from the outside are actually safe to operate.

Many also pointed out that if the explosion had occurred while the bus was carrying passengers or travelling at high speed, the consequences could have been catastrophic.

While no lives were lost, demands are now growing for a thorough investigation into the incident and strict action against those responsible if negligence is found.

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